Introduction

Before you land that dream job, an AWS career path is often beset with twists and turns. Luckily, the right combination of skills, smarts and dedication can guide you where you want to go.

For many AWS jobs in the enterprise, certifications and an expansive skill set are two of the most appealing assets in a candidate. While certifications can prove to employers that you have a standardized level of expertise, hands-on experience is also critical, as it demonstrates you're more than just a strong test-taker.

In addition, it's important to keep up with the latest AWS technologies and trends and know how the vendor compares to other public cloud providers in the market.

Use this comprehensive guide to dig into more details around what employers look for in a cloud job candidate, how to gain the skills you need and ways to ensure your AWS career path is built to last.

1Get certified-

Propel your cloud career with AWS certifications

There's no shortage of ways for an IT professional to prepare for a career in AWS. In addition to hands-on experience -- with both legacy IT systems and especially cloud infrastructure -- AWS certifications are a great way to grow your knowledge and then demonstrate that knowledge to potential employers.

Amazon offers a range of certification exams, from entry-level to expert. They cover a myriad of cloud services, and it takes a dedicated effort to pass one of these tests. There are also vendor-neutral cloud and DevOps certifications that can expand the scope of your knowledge and help your resume stand out.

These certifications are often a steppingstone for individuals that want to begin or advance along an AWS career path. Explore these helpful articles to learn more.

For many IT professionals, an AWS certification serves as an entry point to a cloud career. Anthony Sequeira of CBT Nuggets chimes in on how to prepare for, and ultimately pass, the test. Continue Reading

Once you've passed an AWS certification test, you've opened up some potential career choices. But you should augment that accreditation with proven cloud expertise -- not only related to AWS. Continue Reading

If you have several years of IT experience, you can try out these cloud security exams, which might help you deal with thorny public cloud vulnerabilities. Continue Reading

2Hone your cloud skills-

Stay relevant in the AWS job market

As AWS and other public cloud providers expand their portfolios, IT job seekers need to stay up to date. A strong grasp of emerging technologies will help prospective employees stick out, so when possible, experiment with new cloud services.

Master multi-cloud, DevOps and serverless technologies to give yourself a leg-up. It's also important to develop your automation and business skills, as enterprises pursue well-rounded staff who can handle a mix of technical and professional tasks to reduce the bottom line.

Amazon and third-party vendors offer training programs relevant to these areas -- and more. But also make sure to get your hands dirty in the cloud, as on-the-job time displays a certain level of expertise that can distinguish one candidate from another.

While provider-specific knowledge is still valuable in the enterprise, experience with multi-cloud deployments will become increasingly important, as more organizations use a mix of public IaaS vendors. Continue Reading

Demand for general cloud deployment and management skills remains high, but moving forward, employers will also seek IT pros who can tackle emerging technologies, such as serverless computing, AI and microservices. Continue Reading

Even the most experienced cloud professionals can improve their career prospects. Stay relevant with online tech communities, and focus on emerging technologies, such as Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes. Continue Reading

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3Know AWS' chief competition-

Keep a close eye on the public cloud market

With competitors nipping at its heels, AWS will feel pressure over the next few years to continue its rapid pace of development. In addition to staying on top of the latest AWS technologies, it's important for cloud professionals to have a sense of how the vendor compares to rivals, such as Google and Microsoft.

For example, as basic cloud infrastructure and storage capabilities become mainstream, the leading IaaS providers will look to distinguish themselves with services higher up the stack, such as those for big data and machine learning. What's more, as hybrid and multi-cloud deployments continue to rise in the enterprise, knowledge of how AWS stacks up against its rivals in those key areas will be a valuable trait in cloud job candidates.

Looking to combine the best of both private and public cloud environments, hybrid IT deployments are becoming the new norm in the enterprise. And IaaS vendors increasingly look to cash in on that trend. Continue Reading

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